CONTINUATION CLASSES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16150, 2 March 1918, Page 4

CONTINUATION CLASSES.

DISCUSSION* BY TECHNICAL

COLLEGE BOARD

The question of the education of the young immediately -iftor leaving the primary school was touched upon .by the chairman (Mr George Scott) in his rej>ort to the Christchurch Technical College Board of Governors last evening. The time way quite ripe for tiiem to make an earnest effort to rouse attention to its importance. He asked the Bo ml to consider this proposal: That on leaving the primary school all |bovs and girls who do not. proceed to full-time day schools should bo vequiied to attend continuation classes on threes afternoons in the week from 4 to 6. 'J his would mean that the employer would give up one Lour of his time, awj the child would give up one hour of his i mvn time, lr the Board approved tins proposal, he suggested that they take ft upon themselves to arrange to be present at the householders' meetings, which would bo held in two or three months' for the election of members ot the school committees to place the proposal before the householders, and ask lor their support. If the householders supported the proposal, it. would be for tho committee to make representations on the matter to the Board of Mutation. 11 Mr ('■ H. Oj-ie said Parliament- had crantcd po\voi* to make the course suggested compulsory, but, rightly or vrongiy, had given the power to tne school committees instead of the Laucaiion J boards. He approved the ciiairman's suggestion, and considered that if it wore followed up, something might be done. , Ah- H It. Ilusbridge saul the matter was one'or very meat importance. He was opposed to compulsory continuation classes at night. He preferred to see. tho ivatt°r referred to a committee • Mr J A Black said he had been authorised to say that there was a very large schemc in contemplation by tuo Efficioney Commissioners. He could not divulwo anything further, but suggested the postponing of the chairman s proposals until the other scheme, which was well under way, was launched. b.e was authorised to extend an invitation to members of the Board to consult with the local Efficiency Commissioner (Air ,T. A. Frost-iels). and lie urged members to accept such invitation. i . , 3Lr W. 11. Cooppr favoured the sottiuii up of a committee. The chairman suggested holding a •snccial meeting of the and inviting to it representatives of tiie school committees. , ... Mr AV. R. agreed with tlio chairman, that they should, go mio the matter before conferring with tne iiincicncy Commissioner. They should up a- committee that _ v Mr W Havward said if tho Efficiency Board were bringing forward proposals, the' Technical College Board were really Ibeating tho air, and following in thi> track of their nrop<>sals. He thougfit they might accept the invitation of the Efficiency Commissioner, and at leiist learn what his Board's suggestions were, in order to prevent orer-lapping, and then they could ascertain what lines to go on. _ Mr Black said tho Efficiency Board s proposals must at least go before Parliament before they could be of any use.

After some further discussion, the matter was referred to the Appointments Committee to report to tho next lftoeiinir of the Board. Mr Black said ho would advise Mr Frostick of any members who wished to attend the conference with him. _ Most of tlio members intimated their wish to .attend.